Review: Four Seasons Megeve, France

A Ski Trip in the French Alps

More from this series:

• Introduction: A Ski Trip In The French Alps
• Review: Lufthansa Lounge Boston Airport (BOS)
• Review: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Boston Airport (BOS)
• Review: Lufthansa First Class Airbus A340-600 (BOS-MUC)
• Review: Lufthansa First Class Lounge Munich Airport (MUC)
• Review: Air Dolomiti Business Class Embraer E195 (MUC-GVA)
• Review: The Woodward Hotel Geneva, Oetker Collection
• Review: Airelles Val d’Isère, France (Perfect!)
• Review: Four Seasons Megeve, France

For the final stop of our ski trip to the French Alps, we spent a couple of nights at the 55-room Four Seasons Megeve. I was looking forward to experiencing this hotel, given that it’s Four Seasons’ only ski resort in Europe. The standard of luxury hotels in the French Alps is among the highest in the world, so how does the Four Seasons Megeve stack up?

There were a lot of things I loved about the Four Seasons experience. Megeve is much closer to Geneva than most other ski towns, and Megeve is ridiculously charming. Furthermore, the Four Seasons Megeve has a gorgeous, modern design, as the hotel is owned by the Rothschild family, and Ariane de Rothschild is personally behind the interior design. The hotel also features impeccable service, a variety of amenities, and excellent dining (including a Michelin-starred restaurant).

That being said, I do have to acknowledge that while I’m a huge fan of Four Seasons’ global footprint and consistency, it’s really hard to compete with the overall experience and value offered by some of the more boutique brands with properties in the region, particularly Airelles Val d’Isère and Airelles Courchevel.

Furthermore, be aware that while the Four Seasons is located in the stunning Mont Blanc region, Megeve is at a lower altitude, so may not get snow that’s as good as in the ski towns at higher altitudes, at least when Europe is having a bad winter for snow.

Anyway, let’s get into the review…

Booking Four Seasons Megeve

Full disclosure — Ford had won a prize through work with Four Seasons, and used that for our stay here. So in this case our room was complimentary, though all opinions expressed are my own. Let me also mention upfront that we were assigned a great suite, which was probably largely because it was the very end of the season, and there weren’t many guests remaining at the hotel. Suffice it to say that what we got isn’t a standard upgrade.

Anyway, unlike many other ski resorts in the Alps, the Four Seasons Megeve isn’t just open in winter, but rather is open in summer as well. That’s pretty cool, as I’d actually love to visit in summer, since the town and region are so cute, and I’m sure the hiking is great. Rates vary based on the season — in summer I’ve seen rates as low as €600 per night, while in the peak of winter, rates often start at over €2,000 per night.

Anyway, the best way to book any Four Seasons property is through a travel advisor affiliated with the Four Seasons Preferred Partner program. You pay the same rate you’ll find directly on Four Seasons’ website, but you’ll receive extra perks, including things like room upgrades, complimentary breakfast, and a hotel credit.

Booking Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner is better than booking through programs like Amex Fine Hotels & Resorts. That’s because upgrades are generally prioritized for Preferred Partner guests, and on top of that Preferred Partner perks can be stacked with virtually any publicly available Four Seasons rate.

You can’t beat getting all of these extra perks just for booking through an eligible travel advisor. Ford is happy to help book Four Seasons properties through Preferred Partner, and can be reached at [email protected].

Four Seasons Megeve location

One awesome thing about Megeve is its proximity to Geneva, as it’s just a 75-minute drive from Geneva Airport (GVA). This is a significant advantage compared to some places like Val d’Isère and Courchevel, which are potentially a three hour drive from Geneva. It especially makes a difference if you’re just going for a weekend.

Megeve is probably the most charming ski town I’ve been to in the French Alps. Most popular ski towns feel artificial, in the sense that they’re bustling for the season, and then totally close down the rest of the year. Megeve is a “real” place, where you see school kids running through the town, and all kinds of locals hanging out. Megeve also has all kinds of great restaurants and bars. The town felt to me like a cross between Aspen and Paris.

The Four Seasons is located on a hill on top of the village. The exterior is super cute, and exactly what you’d expect from an Alpine ski resort.

Since the hotel isn’t right in the village, there is a complimentary shuttle service that can take you to & from town in just a few minutes. The drivers were super friendly and prompt.

Four Seasons Megeve lobby & check-in

As much as I adore Airelles Courchevel, the interior design is a bit… of an acquired taste. By comparison, I love that the Four Seasons Megeve has a modern and unconventional chalet-style design, which you won’t find at many properties in the region. There’s also endless art throughout the hotel, most of which is part of the Rothschild family’s collection. The hotel almost feels half like a ski resort and half like an art gallery.

When you enter the hotel, you’ll see a beautiful lobby seating area straight ahead, which gives you a sense of the design inspiration you can expect throughout the hotel.

Immediately behind this is an indoor smoking room, which I know my dad would have appreciated, had he been traveling with us.

Inside the entrance to the hotel and to the left is a hallway leading to all of the hotel’s restaurants, as well as to some of the rooms.

Meanwhile inside the entrance and to the right is another lobby seating area, as well as the reception desk.

Our check-in process was efficient and professional, and in a matter of minutes we were shown to our room.

Four Seasons Megeve suite

Let me once again acknowledge that we got a very generous room upgrade to the Mont Blanc Suite. The hotel was pretty empty so late in the season, and Ford books a lot of clients at Four Seasons, so obviously this isn’t a standard room upgrade.

Our suite was room number 510, located on the fifth floor. How pretty are these hallways?

Inside the entrance of the suite was the dining area, which could seat eight people, as well as a massive living area, with an “L” shaped couch and a chair.

Also in the living room was the minibar area, with a coffee machine, a kettle, and some drinks and snacks for purchase.

There was a beautiful terrace off the living room, with views of the surrounding area (as you can tell, snow was lacking quite a bit, but the views were nonetheless breathtaking).

There was a half bathroom off the living room.

Inside the entrance of the suite and to the right was a large closet area, and at the end of that was the bedroom.

The bedroom had the extremely comfortable signature Four Seasons bed, as well as a chair, a vanity, and a TV.

Waiting on the bed was a welcome gift of a beanie as well as a scarf.

There were also slippers, which might just be the coolest hotel slippers I’ve ever received. I even took them home… heck, I’m wearing them as I write this review.

The bedroom had yet another balcony.

The main bathroom was just off the bedroom, and had double sinks, a toilet, a bathtub, and a walk-in shower.

Toiletries were in reusable containers from CODAGE Paris.

On the very other end of the suite was a TV room that could double as an additional bedroom. This room had a pull-out couch, making this suite ideal for families.

There was also a whole additional bathroom here, featuring a sink, toilet, and walk-in shower.

Obviously this was an incredible suite, with beautiful design. What more can I say?

Four Seasons Megeve spa & pool

The Four Seasons Megeve has an epic spa and pool area, which measures an area of 900 square meters (~9,700 square feet). For one, the hotel has a heated indoor-outdoor pool, which you don’t find at many resorts in the Alps, and which I loved.

The locker room next to the pool also had showers, a sauna, a steam room, and more.

Immediately next to the pool is the Four Seasons Megeve spa, and you can find the spa menu here. The spa area is absolutely gorgeous, and has six treatment rooms — I’ll let the pictures speak for themselves.

Four Seasons Megeve gym

The Four Seasons Megeve has a 24/7, which is small but well equipped. All the equipment is modern, and it has everything from treadmills, to exercise bikes, to ellipticals, to free weights, to a yoga area.

Four Seasons Megeve kids & teens room

It’s nice how hotels in the Alps put so much effort into special areas for kids and teens. Airelles properties are known for their incredible kids and teens clubs, and the Four Seasons has a great setup as well.

The Four Seasons has a teens club, with air hockey, a foosball table, a DJ station, pinball, racing games, and more.

There’s also a large area for smaller kids.

Four Seasons Megeve ski-room & skiing

The Four Seasons is the only ski-in, ski-out resort on the Mont d’Arbois slopes. This area gives you access to 136 groomed runs, totaling 277 miles. There are also more than 19 miles of groomed, cross-country trails.

The catch is that Europe had a rough winter for snow, and Megeve is also at a lower altitude than some other ski towns. The resort is at an altitude of 1,350 meters (4,429 feet), while Courchevel and Val d’Isère are at an altitude of 1,850 meters (6,070 feet). That makes a difference in terms of snow. Also keep in mind that we were there at the very end of the season, in late March.

As a result, ski-in, ski-out wasn’t available at the time (unless you can ski on grass!), though the hotel provides a shuttle service to a nearby lift, which is only about five minutes away.

The Four Seasons has a ski room, which frankly is quite modest compared to what you’ll find at an Airelles, where the rooms are maybe five times as large, and have all kinds of freshly baked cakes and more for guests to help themselves to.

Dining at Four Seasons Megeve

The Four Seasons Megeve has a variety of dining options. Let me briefly summarize them, and then I’ll take a closer look at each individual one:

• Kaito is the Four Seasons’ Japanese fusion restaurant; it’s typically open for dinner, and this is also where breakfast is served
• La Dame De Pic Le 1920 is the Four Seasons’ Michelin-starred restaurant, serving French cuisine; it’s typically open for dinner
• Bar Edmond is the Four Seasons’ bar, serving drinks and snacks; it’s typically open from midday until late at night
• The Four Seasons has an epic wine cellar, which can be reserved for a special dinner or wine tasting; I managed to get some pictures of that
• L’ideal 1850 is the Four Seasons’ restaurant on the slopes; it’s typically open for lunch

Let’s take a look at each of the outlets.

Four Seasons Megeve Kaito

Kaito is located in the lobby of the Four Seasons. The restaurant has a nice design, as well as a terrace, should you want to sit outside, weather permitting.

Breakfast is served daily from 7AM until 10:30AM. You can find the breakfast menu below (keep in mind that if you book through Four Seasons Preferred Partner, breakfast is included).

Breakfast consisted of a small but high quality buffet, with fruit, veggies, cold cuts, cheese, salad, cereal, yogurt, and all kinds of pastries and bread.

You could then supplement that with something from the menu. While I enjoyed the omelet, the avocado toast was my favorite.

The cappuccinos at breakfast were also exceptional… yum!

We had dinner at Kaito one evening, and you can find the menu here. For dinner, we split some edamame, miso soup, seaweed salad, some sashimi, and black cod.

Four Seasons Megeve La Dame De Pic Le 1920

La Dame De Pic Le 1920 is the Four Seasons’ Michelin-starred restaurant, and it’s a concept from Anne-Sophie Pic, the female chef with the most Michelin-starred restaurants. We absolutely loved this dining experience. The restaurant is intimate, with just around a dozen tables.

In recent years I’ve started to appreciate fine dining more. It’s almost like going to dinner and a show, and you can’t help but appreciate the quality of the service, and the thought and effort that goes into each dish, both visually and in terms of taste.

How cool is this table setting?!

We went all out and did the tasting menu here, and it was probably one of my favorite meals ever. From the food quality, to the presentation, to the service, this was just amazing. Please don’t ask me to describe everything, because I feel like so much information is shared during a dining experience like this, and I try to take it all in and enjoy it, rather than exclusively taking notes.

You can find the menu below, and I’ll otherwise let the pictures speak for themselves. I can’t recommend this experience enough, even if you’re not staying at the hotel.

Four Seasons Megeve Bar Edmond

Bar Edmond is the Four Seasons’ lobby bar, where you can have a coffee, a glass of wine, or even a meal. The bar is a nice space, and there’s also a terrace. The whole bar area didn’t feel particularly large to me, though, given the potential number of guests who may want to come here, as there’s no other bar at the hotel.

We had drinks here one evening. The cocktails were good, and served with some wasabi peas, cashews, and olives.

Four Seasons Megeve Wine Cellar

The Four Seasons Megeve has a hidden wine cellar, which must be one of the most epic hotel wine cellars anywhere. The hotel has a collection of over 15,000 bottles of wine, and the cellar they’re stored in is just dazzling. Guests can arrange to have either a dinner or wine tasting here.

Four Seasons Megeve L’Idéal 1850

L’Idéal 1850 is the Four Seasons’ restaurant on the slopes. We had lunch here one day as Ford skied (while I just walked through the slush).

The restaurant has a terrace with panoramic views, and clean and healthy food. I had a vegan poke bowl, while Ford had seared tuna, and we both finished our meal with a cappuccino. Everything, from the service, to the food, to the drinks, was excellent.

Four Seasons Megeve service

Service at the Four Seasons Megeve was flawless across the board. Four Seasons consistently does a great job with service, and this property is no exception.

I also found the staffing situation to be interesting. For example, Airelles properties are almost entirely staffed by French people, while the Four Seasons had more of a mixed workforce. Many of the winter staff at the resort work at other Four Seasons properties in summer.

For example, a few dozen employees at the hotel work in Megeve in winter, and then at the Four Seasons Athens Astir Palace in summer. So the staff here were much more international than you’d find at many other ski resorts. I’m not suggesting that’s good or bad (since service was excellent), it’s just interesting.

Bottom line

The Four Seasons Megeve is an excellent hotel. It has everything you’d expect a Four Seasons ski lodge to have, from a gorgeous design, to friendly service, to extensive amenities, to excellent food & beverage outlets. The resort is also in Megeve, which I happen to find an especially charming town, and which his also close to Geneva.

That being said, if you don’t have a specific reason you want to be in Megeve, I do think Airelles Val d’Isère and Airelles Courchevel over an all-around better value, and even more over-the-top experience. Airelles just does ski resorts very well, and aside from the design, everything about the Airelles experience just feels a bit more elevated. I also love how Airelles properties have rates that are full board, which are comparable to (or in some cases even cheaper than) Four Seasons’ rates without anything included.

So if you’re a Four Seasons loyalist and want to visit Megeve, you’ll be delighted by this hotel. But if you’re someone who wants a great luxury ski resort experience in the French Alps and don’t care about the brand or location, I’d personally favor Airelles.

What’s your take on the Four Seasons Megeve?

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